Qasr al-Tuba

In the Wadi Ghadaf just under 100 km southeast of Amman, remain the remnants of Qasr al-Tuba, that began construction in the eighth century under the Umayyad Caliph al-Walid II, but was not completed. It measures approximately 140 by 72 meters and consists of two square structures each the same size. A gate connects these two buildings through a passageway, which is centrally positioned on the wall that they share; their floor plans are identical. Each flanked by two very small, protruding square rooms, two main entrances are located at the center of each enclosure's northern façade. A total of fourteen semicircular towers at equal intervals buttress the structure's stone exterior, including four at the outer corners and two at the joining corners of the buildings. Upon entering, a long hallway opens into a courtyard surrounded by suites of rooms (bayts). In decoration, design, and material, Qasr al-Tuba is reminiscent of Qasr al-Mshatta; it is speculated that they were built at the same time. Both palaces feature masonry exteriors with brick interior work, with the construction of some doorways replicating each other perfectly and both including pointed brick vaults. In addition, latrines are found in towers at both sites and the decoration on the doorposts and lintels at Qasr al-Tuba mimic Mshatta. Neither were completed.